Do you use Lightroom or Aperture to load and organize your photos? I've been using iphoto, but was able to get a copy of photoshop and am worried that iphoto does something to the color profile. Also... do you do much with "actions" in photoshop. I really am new at the editing process and am not really even sure what that is, but am curious about how much editing you often do with your photos.
Yes. I use Aperture. It's great for organizing...but I don't honestly use it for much else. I have a good friend, Noemi Photography, who uses Lightroom for most of her post-processing! It must just depend on your preference and experience with your programs.
I LOVE actions, but they can be somewhat debilitating. When you don't NEED to learn how to do it yourself, you can fake it pretty well, it doesn't make for great photography. Does that make sense? I started using PS and just used actions. Then, I took a class at MN Center for Photography (no longer exists) and learned SO MUCH! Being educated about PS makes a huge difference, even though I still use the actions (for time sake).
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Cropping heads off
Q: Is it kosher to crop photos so that the child's head is not fully in the photo? (silly question, but my husband asked me that).
I actually do think it is...in many situations. Send me a couple and we can talk through them.
Check out the difference in the first one here (wider and keeping Brenna's head in the picture) and the next two. I much prefer the second and third.
I actually do think it is...in many situations. Send me a couple and we can talk through them.
Check out the difference in the first one here (wider and keeping Brenna's head in the picture) and the next two. I much prefer the second and third.
Photo printing
Q: Where do you print your photos?
I actually don't make many prints on my own. When I did, I used Lindhoff in Edina (44th and France). They are a small, local business and I believe it's important for us to support each other.
I've also recommended National Camera in Roseville a lot. I used them when I shot film. Love the people who work there. We were definitely on a first-name basis.
Now, I use Pictage and they do all my printing. Clients LOVE the prints and the customer service has been great so far!
I actually don't make many prints on my own. When I did, I used Lindhoff in Edina (44th and France). They are a small, local business and I believe it's important for us to support each other.
I've also recommended National Camera in Roseville a lot. I used them when I shot film. Love the people who work there. We were definitely on a first-name basis.
Now, I use Pictage and they do all my printing. Clients LOVE the prints and the customer service has been great so far!
Calibration
Q: Do you calibrate your Mac or how do you know that what you do in editing will look the same on printed paper? I've still been editing in iPhoto and worry that when things get printed out, they will look different.
I actually have NOT calibrated my monitor. My computer is new and I did some "eyeballing" when I made prints. I should probably do it, but don't really know much about it, to be honest. Any recommendations from others?
I have not had any problems with colors...but don't use iPhoto. I do believe it makes things a little "funky" and would maybe be a little worried if people were paying me to edit on there. Sorry, but I'd recommend investing is Photoshop.
I actually have NOT calibrated my monitor. My computer is new and I did some "eyeballing" when I made prints. I should probably do it, but don't really know much about it, to be honest. Any recommendations from others?
I have not had any problems with colors...but don't use iPhoto. I do believe it makes things a little "funky" and would maybe be a little worried if people were paying me to edit on there. Sorry, but I'd recommend investing is Photoshop.
Camera Lenses
Q: If you were to choose between a 24-70 2.8 and an 85 1.2 (aware of the price difference) would you still go for the 24-70? assuming the 70-200 will be my other lens.
My two favorite lenses, the ones that I can shoot anything with and can't live without, are my 1) Canon f/2.8 24-70 and 2) f/2.8 70-200 (without Image Stabilization - but that is a whole nother conversation).
I do like lower apertures, but don't think that a fixed lens has the same capabilities and wouldn't say anyone NEEDS anything lower than an f/2.8.
My two favorite lenses, the ones that I can shoot anything with and can't live without, are my 1) Canon f/2.8 24-70 and 2) f/2.8 70-200 (without Image Stabilization - but that is a whole nother conversation).
I do like lower apertures, but don't think that a fixed lens has the same capabilities and wouldn't say anyone NEEDS anything lower than an f/2.8.
PC or Mac?
When you edit your photos do you work with PC or Apple? Which do you prefer?
Also, have you ever thought about teaching and photography classes?
I'm a Mac girl. Typically, artists use Mac and the business world uses PC. It's hard to honestly tell someone to go one way or the other.
When I was in college, we used Macs and I learned Photoshop on them. But, I know a friend of mine, Noemi (Noemi Photography), who decided to buy a computer more often and get PCs because they aren't as expensive as Macs.
Have I ever thought about teaching again?
Sure. I am actually planning to do a workshop, I just don't know when it will be. I'd love to hear what you all think about that and if you'd come. Also, is there a price limit on what you'd be able to afford? How long would you want it to be (a whole weekend? just one day?) and what you'd like to focus on.
I have my thoughts, but I'd LOVE your feedback!
Also, have you ever thought about teaching and photography classes?
I'm a Mac girl. Typically, artists use Mac and the business world uses PC. It's hard to honestly tell someone to go one way or the other.
When I was in college, we used Macs and I learned Photoshop on them. But, I know a friend of mine, Noemi (Noemi Photography), who decided to buy a computer more often and get PCs because they aren't as expensive as Macs.
Have I ever thought about teaching again?
Sure. I am actually planning to do a workshop, I just don't know when it will be. I'd love to hear what you all think about that and if you'd come. Also, is there a price limit on what you'd be able to afford? How long would you want it to be (a whole weekend? just one day?) and what you'd like to focus on.
I have my thoughts, but I'd LOVE your feedback!
Format
What format do you shoot in? Do you set your camera to JPEG or RAW?
I shoot in RAW. The best reason to do this is because if you totally botch something up, you can usually fix it. But, that's not why I recommend it.
Truthfully, you should shoot like you're shooting film. Meaning: try to shoot it right the FIRST time! Editing takes a lot of time and effort, so you don't want to have to make MORE work for yourself.
Not only can you fix mistakes with RAW, you can make your images more dramatic. Use Lightroom, Aperture and/or Camera RAW to edit before you photoshop. It's AMAZING what you can do! Feel free to send an image or two that you'd like corrected or enhanced and I'd be happy to show some for demo.
I shoot in RAW. The best reason to do this is because if you totally botch something up, you can usually fix it. But, that's not why I recommend it.
Truthfully, you should shoot like you're shooting film. Meaning: try to shoot it right the FIRST time! Editing takes a lot of time and effort, so you don't want to have to make MORE work for yourself.
Not only can you fix mistakes with RAW, you can make your images more dramatic. Use Lightroom, Aperture and/or Camera RAW to edit before you photoshop. It's AMAZING what you can do! Feel free to send an image or two that you'd like corrected or enhanced and I'd be happy to show some for demo.
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